Acquisition, processing, and communication of research data
are the basis for scientific research, and responsible data management
must be an integral part of it.

Research data are generated for the benefit of individuals,
the University, specific sponsors, or society as a whole. Data
management has to consider who derives benefit from the data.

The principal investigator of a research project has the ultimate
responsibility for the stewardship, oversight, and integrity of
the data collection and management of the project, as a key component
of the responsible conduct of research.

In many cases, intellectual property is based on research data,
and data management needs to be tied to the University's Intellectual
Property Policy.

Research data are recorded material or recorded information used
in systematic inquiry which can be interpreted or from which conclusions
may be drawn. Specific fields of scholarship and research may have
their own definitions.